I’ve always said that growing up is a privilege and I truly believe it! There are so many wonderful things that come with age, such as wisdom, confidence and experience. That said, there are other things that come with age that aren’t so great—like skin changes, for example.
Over time, signs of aging such as lines, wrinkles, brown spots and loss of tone may become apparent. And while these things are normal and very common, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to slow their progression and minimize their appearance.
In this post, I will share 10 of the best antiaging ingredients in skin care. As a product developer and esthetician with over 30 years of experience, I can confidently say that these ingredients are capable of creating real skin change. It’s what I recommend using to encourage and maintain more youthful looking skin.
The 10 Best Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredients
1. Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of niacin (vitamin B3). It is a very effective anti-aging ingredient as it can brighten the skin, minimize the appearance of pores and boost collagen production. It can even stimulate microcirculation in the dermis in concentrations of up to 0.5% to address the dullness that can come with age. Most circulation enhancing ingredients tend to have a high potential for irritation, but niacinamide is unique in that the risk for irritation is very low.
It even has antioxidant properties that help protect skin from photoaging (AKA the breakdown of collagen caused by harmful UV rays). If you are using this ingredient to treat the signs of aging, I suggest looking for products that contain niacinamide in concentrations closer to 5%. (Read more about the benefits of niacinamide.)
Renée Rouleau products: Skin Correcting Serum and Pore + Wrinkle Perfecting Serum
2. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
AHAs, which include glycolic and lactic acid, are helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, and age spots. They are able to do all of these things through exfoliation – AKA lowering our skin’s pH level to dissolve the bonds or ‘glue’ that hold dead skin cells together. This allows dead cells to be shed and fresh living cells to be revealed. (Learn more about how acid peels work).
The preferred AHA is glycolic acid because it has the smallest molecular structure and can penetrate deeper into the skin. Lactic acid, on the other hand, cannot penetrate as deeply, but is gentler and more moisturizing. In general, though, AHAs are most effective in higher concentrations, so I recommend using them in serum form.
Note: Using acid peels too often can lead to irritation, which then triggers an aging and inflammatory response. Be careful not to overdo it! Find out how often you really need to exfoliate.
Renée Rouleau products: Pro Results Power Serum and Ultra Gentle Smoothing Serum
3. Vitamin C
I believe that vitamin C is one of the best anti-aging ingredients out there, as it is one of the most extensively researched antioxidants in skin care and has been found to be extremely effective at interfering with damaging free radicals. I recommend wearing it daily under moisturizer and sunscreen. Not only will it give your skin a daily dose of anti-aging power, but it can also help with discoloration and brown spots. It really is a win-win.
The most important thing when dealing with vitamin C is stability. This ingredient is notorious for oxidizing quickly (which is why it’s so common for vitamin C serums to turn brown. Once oxidized, it loses its effectiveness and can actually do more harm than good, causing irritation and blackheads. That’s why using a well Vitamin C serum in an opaque, air-free package is key. (See the five most important things to look for in a vitamin C serum.)
Renée Rouleau products: Vitamin C&E treatment and Vitamin C Illuminator for the eyes
4. Sodium hyaluronate
I always say that skin cells are like fish in that they need water to survive. Apart from this, water is essential to make the skin look plump and youthful. So, how can you increase the water levels in your skin? It’s easy — try using sodium hyaluronate.
Sodium hyaluronate, which is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, helps to recharge the skin’s moisture levels by attracting and binding water to the skin. It is generally used more often than hyaluronic acid due to its increased ability to penetrate the skin. And thanks to its salt form, it’s also less likely to oxidize, meaning it’s a more stable ingredient than hyaluronic acid.
The important thing with sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid is that you apply a concealer afterwards to lock in the moisture in your skin. This will prevent something called transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which occurs when dry air pulls water from the skin. That’s why I recommend always following a hydrating serum with a moisturizer!
Renée Rouleau products: Skin Drink Concentrate and Moisture Injecting Toner
5. Peptides
Peptides help build and protect collagen and elastin, which are two main components of the skin that keep it firm and firm. Chemically, peptides are part of larger protein molecules and work by communicating and directing skin cells to thicken the skin’s support structure. Interestingly enough, different types of peptides affect different types of cells. That’s why I formulate my products with a blend of different peptides, such as dipeptide-2, palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, and palmitoyl tripeptide-38.
Renée Rouleau products: Hydraboost Rescue Creme and Intensive neck tightening cream
6. Resveratrol
This anti-aging ingredient is extracted from the skin of red grapes, blueberries, cranberries, goji berries and pomegranates. Research shows that these fruits are incredibly high in antioxidants, so consuming them regularly can help your body defend against the free radicals of aging. When used topically in well-formulated products, these fruits offer powerful anti-aging benefits and skin protective properties.
7. Seaweed Extracts
Researchers believe that this ingredient is an immune system booster. It’s also an excellent moisturizer, offering soothing and strengthening benefits for environmentally stressed skin. In nature, marine algae are constantly exposed to extreme conditions. Over time, these plants have developed defense systems against the elements that can be beneficial when applied to the skin.
Clinical studies show that using seaweed extracts can improve everything from hydration levels to skin firmness, strength and elasticity. Not only that, but this anti-aging ingredient can provide long-lasting softness to the skin. It’s a true multitasking skincare ingredient, which is why I’ve chosen to formulate so many products in my skincare line with it.
Renée Rouleau products: Overnight Firming + Repair Serum and Redness Care Firming Serum
8. Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10)
Co Q10 (or ubiquinone) increases cellular fuel accessibility. Translation? It helps to provide energy to the cells and facilitates the building of new tissues. Unfortunately, as we age, the amount of usable Co Q10 decreases and cell metabolism slows down. This ingredient positively affects cellular metabolism and enables us to fight the signs of aging starting at the cellular level. Topical application of Co Q10 is extremely beneficial, especially for dull, sluggish skin. It plays a key role in maintaining young, healthy and glowing skin.
9. Retinol
The purest form of vitamin A, retinol is a cell communication component and antioxidant that stimulates collagen, activates cell metabolism to encourage faster renewal, fades dark spots and discoloration, and improves skin firmness. While it’s certainly not a quick fix, when used long-term, it can yield remarkable results. Simply put, it’s an anti-aging powerhouse.
Renée Rouleau products: Advanced Resurfacing Serum
10. Astaxanthin
The final antiaging ingredient I want to talk about is astaxanthin. This is the most powerful member of the carotenoid antioxidant family. Provides strong protection against lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage from free radicals. On a visible level, it can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and encourage smoother, younger-looking skin.
Renée Rouleau products: Pro Remedy Oil and Shine enhancing cream
There you have it. While there are many amazing antiaging ingredients available on the skin care market today, these are 10 of my favorites. I hope this sheds light on specific ingredients and how they can create positive changes in the skin.
Then check out our beginner’s guide to healthy aging!
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real solution — products designed to nine different skin types so your face will have exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts around the world, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research is why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin professional we know.”
